Tasmanian Labor members have backed a proposal to allow for gender re-assignment surgeries to be provided in the public health system and fully funded by Medicare. Delegates at the final day of the party’s state conference voted to lobby the Shadow Health Minister Catherine King to commit to the idea at the party’s national conference in December. Dana Endelmanis told the conference she grew up in North-West Tasmania, confused about her true gender identity which lead to loneliness and fear about the future throughout her youth. She said being transgender was not a choice. “Trans, intersex and non-binary Australians continue to be denied fundamental healthcare rights and continue to be told that many procedures which are life-changing, and in some cases life-saving, are nothing more than cosmetic and elective procedures,” Ms Endelmanis said. “That is an insult to the concept of universal healthcare. “What gender-diverse Tasmanians want is not to be placed on a pedestal or to be given special dispensation but to be afforded the same basic rights that we deem to be universal.” Ms Endelmanis was met with a standing ovation after she concluded her speech. Conference delegates on Sunday backed a motion for the state wing of the party to lobby their federal counterparts should Labor win government at the next election to fully reinstate and fund the Safe Schools program. The anti-bullying program was designed to support LGBTIQ students in schools.

Tasmanian Labor members have backed a proposal to allow for gender re-assignment surgeries to be provided in the public health system and fully funded by Medicare.

Delegates at the final day of the party’s state conference voted to lobby the Shadow Health Minister Catherine King to commit to the idea at the party’s national conference in December.

Dana Endelmanis told the conference she grew up in North-West Tasmania, confused about her true gender identity which lead to loneliness and fear about the future throughout her youth.

She said being transgender was not a choice.

“Trans, intersex and non-binary Australians continue to be denied fundamental healthcare rights and continue to be told that many procedures which are life-changing, and in some cases life-saving, are nothing more than cosmetic and elective procedures,” Ms Endelmanis said.

“That is an insult to the concept of universal healthcare.

“What gender-diverse Tasmanians want is not to be placed on a pedestal or to be given special dispensation but to be afforded the same basic rights that we deem to be universal.”

Ms Endelmanis was met with a standing ovation after she concluded her speech.

Conference delegates on Sunday backed a motion for the state wing of the party to lobby their federal counterparts should Labor win government at the next election to fully reinstate and fund the Safe Schools program.

The anti-bullying program was designed to support LGBTIQ students in schools.